Leading voices in Nigeria’s sports ecosystem have emphasised transparency, infrastructure development, and sustained investment as critical drivers of long-term growth in the sector.
These calls were made at the 11th edition of the Ladies in Sports (LIS) International Summit in Lagos, where policymakers, administrators, investors, and advocates gathered to chart the future of sports in Nigeria and across Africa.
Notable speakers included Bukola Olopade, Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC); former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun; philanthropist and National Patron of the Nigeria School Sport Federation (NSSF), Yemi Idowu; and LIS founder, Tega Onojaife.
Adeosun underscored the importance of governance, stressing that sustainable success requires more than building facilities. “Transparency, accountability, and athlete-centred policies are essential for a thriving sports industry. Structures must be built for sports to thrive, and stakeholders must remain committed to the process,” she said.
She added that good governance means identifying athletes’ real needs before investing in infrastructure and programmes.
